World AIDS Day observed all over : Chief Minister talks tough against non-perfoming NGOs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 01 2014 : Laying emphasis on the need to spread HIV/AIDS awareness extensively among the public in order to achieve the goal of 'getting to zero', Chief Minister O Ibobi today said that NGOs which fail to deliver service in spreading awareness among the public should be blacklisted and appropriate legal action would be initiated against such NGOs.

Chief Minister O Ibobi was addressing the World AIDS Day observance at 1st MR Parade Ground today organised by Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) on the theme, 'Getting to Zero' .

CM O Ibobi said that NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS which receive funds from the Central Govt without rendering service like spreading of awareness on HIV/AIDS and welfare of people living with HIV/AIDS would be blacklisted.

CM Ibobi lighting up a lamp at the World AIDS Day observance

He said that the department concerned was already instructed to take action against such inactive NGOs.

Legal action would be taken up against such NGOs which fail to execute works like spreading awareness among the public and HIV/AIDS affected people but are still drawing fund from the Govt, the CM said.

The presence of such NGOs which exist only to draw huge amount of Central fund without executing works is a blot on the society, he said.

Such sham should no longer be tolerated.

Although survey reports suggest the decline in the number of people living with HIV/AIDS, all stakeholders should join hands with the Govt in fighting the menace of HIV/AIDS by sensitising the public on the issue on war footing in order to achieve the goal of getting to zero.

Pointing out that ART centres have been opened in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Chandel and at Indo-Myanmar border area, O Ibobi said that public awareness is more important than providing medicines in order to curb the menace.

He called upon all concerned to bring down the HIV/AIDS prevalence level to zero within a time bound period of five years.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing also attended the programme as the president.

A rally was also taken out by various NGOs to mark the occasion.

15 stalls were also opened by people living with HIV/AIDS.

Prizes were distributed to winners of different competitions like quiz and essay organised to mark the occasion.

Besides launching a Multi Drug Regime (MDR) for PPTCT Programme in Manipur, a bulletin on HIV sentinel surveillance 2012 and CMIS bulletin 2012 were released on the occasion.

Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) also organised the World AIDS Day at its office premises located at Pureiromba Khongnang Makhong, Palace Gate with the theme 'Getting to Zero' .

CADA president Advocate Yumnam Ratan; former project director of MACS, Lisam Khomdon; joint director of MACS, Mongjam Abhiram; former member of MHRC Advocate Ng Nongyai; activist Dr Ibungosana Ningthem and president of Leimakol L Rita attended the programme as the presidium members.

JIRIBAM: The world AIDS Day was also observed at the conference hall of AJMP, Nupi Lal complex, Babupara, Jiribam, reports JNN.

The programme was jointly organised by World AIDS day Observation Committee and All Jiribam Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, WACAK and JIMWAK with the theme 'Getting to Zero' .

O Menjor Singh, Addl SP, Jiribam; S Iboton Singh, chief functionary, CWA Jiribam; Elizabeth L Thienghlim, chief functionary, TIPTEEDS, Jiribam; RK Bijoysana Singh, general secretary, Child Welfare Ashram; S Sushila Devi, president AJMP; H Mema Devi, president JIMPAL; N Nirvani Devi, president WACAK and Th Jina Devi, president JIMWAK attended the observance programme as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

THOUBAL: Similar observance programme was also held at C3 Educational Institute, near Thoubal Mela ground today under the aegis of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) Thoubal, reports our correspondent.

The programme held under the theme 'Getting to Zero: zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths' was attended by CMO of Thoubal district hospital, Dr Ksh Manglem Singh and president of MNP+ Thoubal N Ranjit Singh as the chief guest and president respectively.

President of KWWA Ak Memcha Leima and member of Thoubal district Bar Association Advocate M Swami Singh were the guests of honour.

TAMENGLONG: The World AIDS Day was also observed at Tamenglong district today.

Organised by DAPCC at Indoor Stadium, the programme was attended by MLA Janghemlung Panmei, RH Gonmei, DC, Tamenglong district, ADC member Charles Liangdiyang and Keikhumjanang Gonmei as the chief guest, functional president and guests of honour respectively.

Dr Chambo was the resource person during the function.

Quiz, slogan writing, essay writing, role play and skit competitions were also held.

Meantime, AWARE NGO as well observed the World AIDS Day at its office at Tamenglong district with Dr Chambo as the chief guest.

Senapati: World AIDS Day was observed at the Multi-purpose hall, Senapati district headquarters.

The observance programme was preceded by a rally that started from the Traffic point to the DC Complex, Multi-purpose hall.

The programme was jointly organized by the District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee (DAPCC) and AXSNYA Project Senapati, VHAI Delhi Based NGO.

About 550 persons including DLOs, district frontal leaders, medical practitioners, NGOs, Village leaders, religious leaders, youth leaders and students participated in the rally and observance programme.

K Lakshmikanta Sharma, ADM, Senapati and Dr H Loli Mao, CMO, Senapati attended the programme as the chief guest and president.

Dr O Lorho, DTO, Senapati and Dr A Loso DACO, Senapati were also present.

CHANDEL: Chandel also joined the rest of the world in World AIDS day observance.

Chandel ADC K Luckyson attended the observance programme held at Indoor Stadium as the chief guest.

DACU Chandel, Dr Kesho S Moirangthem and CNPO president Ws Kanral Anal were the president and guest of honour respectively.

Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO), Care Foundation, Kripa Society, World Vision India and VIHAAN CSCs jointly observed the 27th World AIDS Day at Hotel Tampha today.

Family Welfare Director RK Rajo, MNP+ general secretary Udita Salam, JNIMS ART Centre Nodal Officer Kh Lokeshwar and State Health Services Director Dr S Manikanta attended the function as chief guest, president, guest of honour and special guest respectively.

This year, the day was observed the under the theme, 'Getting to zero: Zero new infection, Zero AIDS related death, Zero discrimination'.

In his keynote address, MNP+ president L Deepak said that the State Government has been remaining silent although HIV prevalence in the State has reached alarming level with the number of PLHIVs crossing 40,000 mark.

Alleging that the State Government has neither done anything for the welfare of PLHIVs nor taken up any measure to check spread of HIV on their own, Deepak said that they are simply using the funds and implementing the schemes of NACO.

He also questioned why Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) and State Government should wait for NACO funds only.

The State Government must also do something on their own as it is their responsibility to protect the people of the State, he added.

Deepak said that the State Government returns unutilised annual plan amount to the Centre every year, but they never consider to earmark funds for the welfare of the PLHIVs.

The State Government also never looks into the condition of widows, children and people who have been affected by HIV, he said.

Deepak said that people would never think that the State Government is concerned with the welfare of PLHIVs and committed to check spread of HIV with delivering a few catchy lines on the World AIDS Day observance.

District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU), Imphal West also observed the day at Laishram Leirak community hall.

Imphal West DC and DAPCU chairman K Radhakumar, Rural Health Organisation general secretary Dr H Indrakumar and Imphal West CMO Dr S Bimolakumari and ORW, NPPIW K Praneshori attended the function as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.